RIS

N2 - The recession has resulted in a decline in energy use, which seems to disprove an often claimed de-coupling between the GDP and energy use. This points towards a reduction in GDP as a means to mitigate climate change, especially if the growth in GDP turns out to be un-economic growth in the sense that the overall cost exceeds the benefits, as suggested as suggested by the economist Herman Daly. For Denmark the vast majority express a preference for lower working time over more income and consumption. This points towards halting or reversing the growth in GDP as real no-cost measure in climate policy.

AB - The recession has resulted in a decline in energy use, which seems to disprove an often claimed de-coupling between the GDP and energy use. This points towards a reduction in GDP as a means to mitigate climate change, especially if the growth in GDP turns out to be un-economic growth in the sense that the overall cost exceeds the benefits, as suggested as suggested by the economist Herman Daly. For Denmark the vast majority express a preference for lower working time over more income and consumption. This points towards halting or reversing the growth in GDP as real no-cost measure in climate policy.